Balcony rack: a reliable assistant in organizing space

The balcony is a functional space that can be used for various purposes. Here you can organize a workplace, a recreation area or decorate it with flowers. An indispensable element for the competent organization of space is a rack on the balcony, which can have a different design. The product is used to store things, tools, books, flower pots, containers with seedlings and other household items.

A rack on the balcony will significantly save usable space

Rack on the balcony: a characteristic of a spacious bookcase

For storage of all sorts of things, mainly horizontal shelves are used. Single structures do not differ in large capacity, therefore it is convenient to place them one above the other, creating multi-tiered shelving for the balcony. They differ from cabinets in the absence of a back and side walls.

The structure of the balcony rack must be strong and stable

The design for the balcony allows you to save usable space many times over. Such a product is able to unload bookcases and wardrobes from unnecessary things in living rooms. Placing various items on the shelves of the rack free the countertops and the floor. Such a convenient storage system on the balcony in the form of a multi-tiered shelf allows you to organize things, keeping the general order in the room.

The racks can be used to store items of clothing and footwear, toys, books, cans with conservation, tools. It is convenient to place containers with seedlings and flowerpots with fresh flowers here, turning the multi-tiered structure into a lush flower garden in the warm season.

Shelves can be stacked on top of each other, diagonally or randomly. They have different dimensions. It all depends on the functionality of the cabinet. The structure can be not only stationary, but also removable or with tipping shelves. The last two options are used in the season of growing seedlings or greenery; indoor flowers can be installed on them in the summer. In winter, the structure is assembled, freeing up space on the balcony.

Useful advice! The car owner will like the compact tire rack on the balcony, designed to accommodate winter and summer tires.

The most attractive and aesthetic for a balcony is a wooden rack

A rack for a balcony must meet the stated requirements and withstand the load that will be created under certain operating conditions. The shelves should be fairly spacious and reliable. Their size is selected based on the purpose. It is necessary that the items fit comfortably on the shelves without falling out.

The structure must be strong and stable. For greater reliability, it is better to attach the tall rack to the wall. If the balcony is not glazed, the material used for the manufacture of the rack must be moisture-resistant and resistant to temperature extremes. Otherwise, the product will not last long.

Possible storage rack configurations

The racks on the balcony (the photos clearly demonstrate their external distinctive features) are of two types: open and closed. The first option assumes that all the contents of the shelves will be in plain sight. This design is mainly used to accommodate seedlings and flowers that need free access to light and air. This model is also convenient for storing things that are in active use or are interior decoration.

To store old clothes, shoes, books, food, conservation or tools, use closed shelves with doors that can be hinged or sliding. Such products resemble ordinary wardrobes.

Closed rack can be used to store shoes, tools, books, food, flowers

Useful advice! You can use blinds, roller blinds or curtains as shelving doors.

Photos of the racks clearly show the possible design options. Products can be floor, wall, front or corner. Floor racks are equipped with legs. Such a structure is usually installed near a narrow wall, occupying all its space in width and height.

For open balconies, there are low models, in height not exceeding the balcony partition, so that they are not visible from the street. Such structures are used not only as a storage system - the top shelf can be used as a table.

Wall racks are usually placed over other pieces of furniture: a table, sofa, or coffee table. They have no legs. The products are attached to the wall using brackets, hinges or hooks.

High balcony racks should be fixed to the wall

The front models have a traditional rectangular shape. They are located along one of the walls. It is possible to use two front shelving units by installing them along two adjoining walls. As a result of such a tandem, it will be possible to obtain a single roomy, voluminous structure. By using one of the corners, you can place a corner rack, which can be closed or open. It has good spaciousness without taking up much space.

Depending on the location of the rack, shelves of different sizes and shapes are selected. If the structure is located along the long wall of the balcony, then the shelves should be narrow so as not to take up the balcony space and not create obstacles to free movement. End products can be deep.

Important! The depth of the shelves of the rack should not exceed 60 cm, otherwise the ease of use is lost.

To arrange car tires on the balcony, you can equip special metal frames on brackets that are attached to the wall.

If there is an office on the balcony, then you cannot do without a book rack

Material for making furniture for the balcony

Balcony racks can be made of different materials, which is determined by the purpose of the furniture and interior design. The most attractive and aesthetic is the wooden structure. The material is characterized by strength, stability, reliability, environmental friendliness.It is easy to handle, so you can create shelves of any configuration. Wooden elements for the shelving are coated with antiseptics and impregnations to protect them from moisture, insects and ultraviolet radiation.

With the help of wooden blocks, you can create reliable supports by attaching them to the walls. Plank decks are laid on the supports, forming shelves for flowers or seedlings on the balcony. Products made in Provence and country styles can have a rough, raw texture. For interiors decorated in classic and modern styles, wooden elements should be sanded and painted.

Important! For storing heavy baskets of vegetables and cans with preservation, the shelf boards must be at least 2 cm thick.

Another equally popular material is metal, which surpasses wood in some characteristics. The case made of this material is characterized by strength, reliability and practicality. It is able to withstand heavy loads, including bulky items. For the production of metal shelving, stainless steel is mainly used. This design is characterized by reliability and stability. Lightweight racks are made of aluminum alloy.

If the nursery is connected to the balcony, then the rack can be used for school supplies

Important! To protect against corrosion, the metal structure is coated with paint spraying or polymer composition.

The metal shelving on the balcony most often has an open look. It is also used as a stand for flowers, flowerpots and other decorative elements. Wooden shelves can be placed on the metal frame, which gives the structure a more aesthetic appearance. Forged racks will look stylish and presentable.

The rack can be made of chipboard, OSB or fiberboard. The edges of elements made of these materials should be pasted over with a special edge, which will protect the product from moisture. A flower rack can be made of durable plastic. The material is not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes. As shelves, you can use plastic window sills, which are purchased from the manufacturers of reinforced-plastic windows. The shock-resistant glass rack looks stylish and unusual. The material is characterized by high strength and performance characteristics, which is reflected in the high cost of the product.

How to choose a good location for the shelves on the balcony

It is important to choose the right place for the shelving. It is required that the product does not obstruct the passage, does not impede free movement and at the same time fits harmoniously into the overall interior. The rack should not block free access to natural light. The dimensions of the structure are selected taking into account the size of the balcony. The product should not be bulky, but at the same time it is necessary that it does not get lost in the general space.

The rack or shelves are mounted in that part of the balcony where they will not interfere with free movement

The open balcony has no solid wall. The most reliable surface is the concrete wall of the house, which can be used as a load-bearing support for the shelving. If the balcony is glazed, its end wall is blank. A shelving can be installed near it, thanks to which a lot of space will be freed up and the shelves will not interfere with the free movement on the balcony.

An angular structure can be installed near a blank wall and an adjacent surface. On a spacious balcony, it is advisable to place several shelves in different corners. It is worth experimenting with the configuration of the products, which depends on the purpose of the design. A well-lit part of the balcony will be an ideal place for a do-it-yourself violet rack. In a remote corner, it is recommended to install a closed structure for storing things.

Any shallow niche can be used as a storage system. Here it is advisable to make a rack built into a niche. This technique will allow you to rationally use its space, freeing up more free space on the balcony.

Important! If there are heating devices on the balcony, a wooden rack should not be installed near them in order to avoid a fire hazard.

When buying a ready-made rack, you need to remove the dimensions of the place where it will be installed

Popular options for ready-made IKEA racks on the balcony

The IKEA company offers beautiful and original furniture for the balcony. The photos presented in the article are a clear confirmation of this.

The Hillis shelving unit, made of high-strength plastic, is very popular. The design has a size of 60x27x140 cm. It is attached to the wall using screws, dowels or self-tapping screws. The legs have special plastic pads to protect the floor from scratches. The cost of the rack is only 850 rubles.

Among the low structures, one can distinguish the Hinde model with a size of 78x37x83 cm. The rack is made of high-quality steel with a powder coating, which provides reliable protection against corrosion. The design has adjustable feet to ensure stability of the product on uneven floors. Here you can select the height of the shelves. The price of such a rack is 4 thousand rubles.

The Lekke model is a successful design as a flower rack. The size of the product is 51x32x160 cm. The rack is made of stainless steel. Has mesh shelves. Equipped with adjustable feet. For reliability, the structure should be attached to the wall. You can buy the product for 4 thousand rubles.

Ready-made plastic racks of the IKEA company are suitable for open balconies

An interesting model is the Eplaro balcony drawer measuring 80x41x44 cm. The structure is made of natural wood. To increase the strength and emphasize the expressive naturalness of the texture of the wood, the surface is covered in several layers with a translucent stain. The price of the product is 4.5 thousand rubles.

DIY wooden shelving on the balcony

Wooden shelving for the balcony is made of square or rectangular boards with a thickness of at least 2 cm. Shelves can be made of plywood. However, it is important to correctly calculate the load on the product so that it is not damaged during operation. In addition to wooden boards, self-tapping screws, nails and metal corners are required.

Related article:

DIY shelving: a universal furniture design

Used materials, tools. Racks for technical and interior purposes. Collapsible and stationary structures.

Before making the shelves on the balcony in the form of a rack, a drawing of the finished product is created, according to which all the constituent elements of the structure are cut out. Installation begins with attaching a wooden frame to the end of the balcony. It consists of four vertical boards located along the height of the room, and two horizontal boards located on the floor and ceiling. The depth of the rack is determined by the distance between the front and rear uprights.

Wooden balcony racks can be either open type or closed

The vertical elements are fixed to the wall. To do this, holes are pre-drilled in them, through which the corresponding places on the wall are marked. Here you need to make holes for the fasteners. The beam is applied to the required place and fixed to the wall with anchors.

For each pair of side racks, special rails are attached, which are used to install shelves. They are mounted using metal corners. Shelves are placed on the prepared places, fixing them with self-tapping screws. The structure is coated with linseed oil and varnish.

Plywood swing doors are hinged to the side rails. To prevent spontaneous opening, they are equipped with a magnet or latch.If the rack is high, from the point of view of practicality, one pair of doors can be placed at the top of the structure, and the second at the bottom.

It is also recommended to use sliding doors. For this, guides are previously attached to the ceiling and wall, into which elements equipped with wheels are inserted. It is possible to install folding doors on the rack, consisting of several lamellas, which are connected with furniture hinges. Lamellas are made of furniture boards or thin boards. The edges of the parts must be well sanded and pasted over with a coated strip.

If you have tools and materials, a wooden balcony rack can be made by hand

Do-it-yourself metal cabinet on the balcony

For an unglazed balcony, the best solution is to make a metal cabinet. To do this, prepare profile pipes for the frame and plywood sheets for the shelves.

The height of the balcony box is determined by the size of its parapet. Four profile metal elements of a given length are pulled together with clamps. Marking is performed for the future location of the shelves. In this case, places are marked 15 cm higher and lower. This is done in order to subsequently be able to adjust the height of the niches.

According to the markings, holes with a diameter of 6 mm are made. A nut should be welded into the lower ends of the pipes, which is necessary for further fastening the legs. The remaining pipes are cut into lengths corresponding to the width of the rack. The number of elements depends on the number of sections of the structure. Holes must be made at the edges of the crossbars obtained.

All metal components must be painted. Shelves of the required size are cut from a sheet of plywood. Next, the structure is assembled. The rungs are bolted through the drilled holes to the uprights. Plywood shelves are stacked on them.

Metal balcony tire rack - a profitable solution for those who do not have a garage

How to make a prefabricated metal tool rack

A prefabricated metal structure must withstand heavy loads. Therefore, do-it-yourself rack assembly should be made from sheets more than 2 mm thick and corners measuring 50x50 mm (5 mm thick).

Important! For rooms with high humidity, galvanized elements should be used.

The initial stage in the manufacture of the structure is the design of the rack. For this, a drawing of the future product is made, on the basis of which all blanks are cut out in the form of racks, longitudinal and transverse beams.

The sidewall is made from the blanks. Preliminarily, markings for the placement of jumpers are applied to the rack. Elements are joined with clamps. Next, the second rack is fixed. Parts can be connected by welding. At the same time, welded seams are processed with a grinder or a file.

For an unglazed balcony, the best solution would be a metal cabinet

The first sidewall is placed on the workbench. The second part is assembled from the blanks, the elements of which are fixed with clamps. Longitudinal jumpers are welded to the sidewall using a corner for joining. After that, metal plate-legs are attached to the ends of the racks.

To fix the shelves, it is necessary to prepare embedded elements from metal plates. Each part has two holes for self-tapping screws. The plates are welded in 30 cm increments to the longitudinal beams. Then the shelves, which are metal sheets, are fixed with self-tapping screws. The finished metal rack on the balcony is tested for strength and stability. To do this, it should be slightly shaken in different directions. Then paint for metal is applied to all structural elements.

Useful advice! The rack can be made mobile by welding wheels to its legs.

DIY plastic rack for seedlings and flowers

For the arrangement of seedlings and flowers, the most successful option is a plastic rack.The design is lightweight, moisture resistant and resistant to temperature fluctuations. It is carried out on a principle similar to the manufacture of metal products. The difference lies in the use of other materials and fasteners. The result is a lightweight and easy-to-move design.

To store a large number of flowers on the balcony, you cannot do without a rack

To make a plastic rack, you will need PVC pipes, corners, tees, a hacksaw and hot glue.

At the first stage, the sidewalls are made. To do this, long and short elements are cut out of the pipe, from which two rectangles are assembled using fittings. Previously, on long sections, several T-shaped fasteners should be put on, which will be used to install the shelves. Their number is selected based on the height of the structure. Long posts are inserted into tees between the parallel top and bottom corners. The result is a parallelepiped design.

Short pipe sections are inserted into T-shaped mounts, on top of which shelves are laid. They are cut from plastic, chipboard, plywood. For reliability, it is recommended to lubricate all joints with hot glue.

Useful advice! Self-tapping screws can be used instead of fasteners and fittings.

For seedlings, you need a closed rack, in which glass is used instead of sheets of plywood or metal

It is advisable to arrange a lighting system on the bottom of the shelves. To do this, you should use an LED strip in which the red and blue spectra are combined, which is favorable for plant growth.

A rack for a balcony is a necessary piece of furniture, thanks to which it is possible to organize the entire contents of the room. It is used as a convenient and spacious storage system. In addition, flower racks play the role of a decorative element of the room. The design consists of a minimal number of parts, so it is easy to make it yourself.